The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-08-27
Wild West Law.

especially in the West. In 1855 the
writer was juror in the case of Adj
ans ys. Paige, tried in Kansas. Ad-
ans was a Boston speculator, who
was trying to GUST Paige from certain
lands. The lands clearly belonged to
Adams. and Paige was clearly a
squatter. but the latter resisted and
the former appealed to the law. The
judge was squatter, and therefore a
sympathizer, while Paige was like
wise cousin of his. When Adams
came to take the stand Paige's law
yer, whose name was Britt, began
SHOW, Mr.. Adams, you say you
bought this land from party in Bos-
ton ?"
Eyes, SIR"
"And you paid him $4SO?"
"Yes, SIR"
"Now, sir, isn't it fact that while
this Davis, the bogus claimant to this
land, lay dying you robbed him of
his deed?"
mo, SIR"
"Be careful! We want no per-
jury in this case! How often have
you been sent to State prison ?"
"Never! !"
Look out All ! see the guilty
blush on his face! Notice his con-
fusion? Your Honor, that man is
deliberately lying"
II object to all this !" exclaimed
Adams lawyer as he jumped up.
"Steve Bullock, you set down ="
shouted his Honor. "I've known
you ever since you started out driv-
ing mule team, and you was allus
objeeting to every thing. If this man
has been in State prison this court
wants to know it. Let him answer
the question:"
~ never have beep," replied Adj
ans.
"Have you ever robbed widow ?"
asked the lawyer.
"Your Honor. what has all this to
do with the case on trial ?' asked
Adams lawyer.
"Heaps, your honor" replied
Britt. "If we can show that this
man is thief, murderer and land pi-
rate It's our business to to do so. If
wolf in sleeps clothing sneaks into
our innocent community it is our
duty to- expose him."
IF should say ii was" answered
the court. "The witness must an.
swer the question or i'll lock him up
for contempt"
81 never did, replied Adams.
"Then your looks belle you. Didn't
you set store af1re in st. Louis 2"
"No, SIR"
"NOr rob bank in st. Louis ?''
"Your Houor. must object"
said Bullock. ''this Case"
''Steve Bullock, sot down ~ ex-
claimed the court. "You quit dry
ing mules year ago and went into
law, but you don't know everything
yet. This court can give you half
mile the start and beat you then. If
this man has robbed bank we want
to know it, We want to know what
sort of man has come among us to
skeer our wimmen and children"
81 did not rob a bank" said Adj
ans.
"Oh, you diden't," sneered Britt.
"How about burning a barn in ILL.,
Dois 2"
"Your Honor, I did not come here
to be insulted," said Adams, as he
turned to the court.
"Answer that question =" COM
manded the judge. "I've got barn
of my own, or am going to haye next
spring, and if we've taken a barn
burner to the bosom of this eommu-
nifty I want to know it,"
For two long hours Britt contin-
ued to ask such questions, and the
judge obliged the witness to answer,
Then the case for the defense was
closed without word in regard to its
legal aspects. Britt contended in his
speech to the jury, that it was a plot
TO rob a big-hearted. good-natured
citizen of his all. and Bullock was so
disguised that he refused to examine
witness or make an argument.
Scents" said the court when he
charged US, 1--WE don't want no fool
ing In this case. That 'ere land be-
longs to Bill Paige, and you want to
return verdict to that effect"
We went out, and ten of the twelve
were ready to agree with the court.
Two OF US hung out. and to reward
us for producing disagreement his
Honor sent US to Jail for thirty-six
hours apiece.
tSir I heard Won IIcinU tho xuord